Former Pakistan prime minister Benazir Bhutto has been killed in a suicide attack in Rawalpindi. She was 54, and is survived by her husband and three children. The killing throws the January 8 election process, Parvez Musharraf‘s attempts to gain legitimacy, and the anti-terror campaign of the United States in serious turmoil. Benazir had survived an audacious attempt on her life when she had returned to her country from exile 10 weeks ago, but the “life” was short-lived.

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Amid all the hoo-ha over this being the 150th anniversary of the first war of Indian independence, and the 60th year of our independence, it is easy to forget that this is also the 150th anniversary of a war that ended up in the creation of Pakistan, and the 60th year of its independence. Yet, while India exults in the diamond jubilee of its freedom, Pakistan is going through all the familiar pangs and pangas that has marked that country’s existence.

Periodic dictatorships, the hanging of one Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto, the mysterious death in a plane crash of president Zia ul Haq, now the killing of Benazir. Add to this, the circumcision of citizen’s and media rights, a puppet judiciary, an economy in a shambles, its support of terror, and you wonder, is Pakistan a failed State? A democracy that doesn’t seem to be able to get its house in order for a reasonable length of time? A nation whose only raison d’etre was, is and will be India?

28 comments

Suppose we say it is. So what? Supposed we say it isn’t. What then either? The fact remains that Pakistan will never cease to exist. Even if it did, I don’t think I’d want 150 million jihadis raised on the dream of an Islamic India being brought into the folds of India! Let Pakistan stay as it is, thank you very much.

I agree with GK3S. I have an even better plan to manage Pakistan. Kill all the terrorist leaders like LeT’s Hafeez Sayed and others who are waging war against India. We should kill them Israeli style using stealth commandos–that way we can ensure that these bastards will not kill or exhort their followers to kill in the name of religion. I am sure any counterattack we can handle–but will our Netas feel comfortable with this is the question?

I am sure once we eliminate this jehadi venom the rest of Pakistan can be an easy going country–given to watching raunchy mujra videos and swilling cheap liquor.

Without a shadow of doubt Pakistan is a failed state. We must prepare to start handling an extremely unstable Pakistan–I suggest we teach courses at IIMs as to how we can manage failed states like Pakistan and Bangladesh.

Selling soap/jam/Rupa underwear is a safe activity right? I think we should train these guys seriously to manage these lost people in our neighborhood. And encourage these guys to some ‘family planning’ methods.

Sure. But things will change very soon–we will hear IIMs saying “Hey man, I am off to Peshawar dude. I am in charge of selling KF Beer in NWF province. Cool eh?”

“My name is Tendulkar–and I am going to market Bombay IT systems in Baluchistan.”

“My name is Rahul Gandhi. My granny broke up Pakistan. I am going to be the president of the local Congress (I) unit in Rawalpindi. This place is backward like Amethi. We will start doing some social work soon for the masses. We are offering the local Hindus some reservation.”

I have read, whatever you guys have written. I am a Pakistani and beleive that Pakistan will remain a stable country and if for any reason, it breaks up. I am 101 % sure, Pakistan will use nuclear bomb on INDIA….

Tragic about Benazir Bhutto…. ISI Hand behind it no doubt (at least that’s what anybody with a brain will have to conclude). Now I wonder what Bush will have to say to Mushy about this catastrophic failure of plans?

Stability of Pakistan? Let’s put it this way.

Sri Lanka invented the suicide bombing. India funded and then fought the guys who invented suicide bombing. India’s ex-PM got suicide-bombed. Bangladesh is under military rule. Nepal is being ruled at Maoist gunpoint.

This is the neigbourhood of craziness, people. Stability is rare and unusual.

We are a bunch of failing states. Some are better at it than others, but we point fingers at each other in great peril of looking like complete asses.

The glue that binds Pakistan together is hating INDIA. So it is difficult to say if Benazir would have bought peace. Death of Benazir should not have happened just like we still miss Rajeev though I am not a congress supporter. Just like mining cannot be stopped & real estate lobby controlled in Karnataka, I am doubtful if peace can be ushered to Pakistan as creating terrorist is one way job.

There is nothing new in calling Pakistan a failed state in the face of the assasination. In fact as Alok Points out most of South Asia would qualify for that epithet.

The question is in the face of continuing conflict within Pakistan what would prevent its fragmentation and if indeed that happens as the immediete neighbour and identified enemy what would India’s plight be in the face of that immense explosion. I do hope it will never come to that ever.

India is doing fine. We are on the right track. Some sound policies from the governments for the next 20 years and we should pull forward and leave religious quagmires (with no oil wealth) like Pakistan far far behind. Whether it stays together, dismantle etc. wont matter much.

Have to agree with Gaby and Alok. Pakistan has had it’s shares of woes-misfortunes, but they could have very easily, been that of any south asian country. Thankfully India is a lot better off than Pakistan economically, socially and politically, but I would not shout from the rooftops about it. By global standards, we are pretty pathetic ourselves.

India being better than Pakistan is hardly a yardstick I would be proud of or profess. India needs to aim high and do what it takes to help the troubled neighbor, for it’s own sake.

Previous charges of corruption, opportunism and sabotage aside, there is a loss of life — in a gruesome way at that. Let’s not make light of it by mocking Muslim religious practices. Irrespective of her past, her death demands respect, else we cease to live ourselves…

Pakistan sure is a failed state. A state born out of hatred to fellow Indians in greater India prior to 1947, had simply wasted its opportunities when a succession of its rulers were military dimwits who stoked and perpetuated this hatred for decades. America should bear some responsibility as its presidents saw it as a bullwork against Russia and were very comfortable in dealing with military men be it as a memebr of SEATO and CENTO ( John Foster Dulles’ myths) providing facilities for the ill-fated U-2 flights over Russia or as a weapon depot for Afghans to fight Russians. India should never have allowed that country to develop nuclear weapons even risking a war. When that country plunges into turmoil, there is the danger of the nuclear weapons falling into the hands of al-Queda, and from there the doomsday (for the world) count down will start. Many believe that ISI hands are visible in this tragic incidence and it is not surprising if ISI is protecting Bin Laden. The solution perhaps is to let these military men rule that country (the opposition there is amateur and Imran thinks that
ruling an unrulable country is likebowling in a test match! He was even quoted as saying there is democratic deficit there as if the country has been used to democracy!!!) so that the world knows who they are dealing with.

To question if it is a failed state is giving it to much credit. Hmm Pakistan has never been a successful state in the sense of the phrase.

It has a cricket team (sometimes bearded), a mischievous army which can have a mind of its own and a diplomatic service to do a ji huzoor to anyone who is willing to pay for their guns. Those are the only three consistencies in Pakistan since being formed. Amidst wars, killings, and other such general bloodletting pastimes leaders come in, get out, get killed etc. Its almost like a video game.

The question rather is how long can Pakistan continue to pretend not being a failed state?
For that the next few crucial months in Pakistan would hold the answer.

Any one can see the factionalizing in our times– there are more fundamental right governments in Europe than ever before? Norway ahs a hijab rule for 100 odd muslim women? Germany is worried about its million muslim population, france has regular ethinc problems, the south asian picture is already presented, Australia and even NZ are rethinking immigration rules, middle east is just warming up again, south east asia has started making some noise, US is worried slowly feeling the heat of its myopia and falling dollar etc etc.

It gives an uneasy familiarity with the cultural zones of Huntington , may be we are sitting on a time bomb. Except this time, it would be nuclear.

First of all, i do not agree with the topic at all. We are no one to label countries as “failed states”. Incidents happen. But it certainly does not doubt the survival of a country. We are looking at the glass half empty. We’re forgetting the worth of Pakistan. A revolution is required for its progress. A telented hardworking person to uplift the situation of this country. Sincere to himself and to his nation. Another Jinnah. Another Mahathir bin Muhammad. This country has alot of potential. And it will not sink but thrive Inshallah.
Moreover, how long will these two countries fight over kiddy issues and past grudges. They’re getting at nothing this way. Think logically people.

Pakistan had, has and will have problems.We have to re-set our antennas right. The basis of a state are geographical, ethnic or religious. Pakistan was created in the name of religion but after we got it religion became very controvertial. If we want to save Pakistan we must break the ethnic divisions. Pakistan must be divided in administrative divisions and all non islamic practices minimised. I am advocating Talibanisation or any form of extremist state but a most modern Islamic state. It is possible to be modern and progressive by remaining very good muslims. Poverty and over population are major issues. And poverty can not be eliminated without attacking the scourge of uncontrlled human growth. And human growth cannot be controlled without re- interpreting religion. And religion can not be re interpreted by Madrassa educated mullahs.

This seems to be a never ending debate whether Pakistani is a failed state or not. I personally think that Pakistan would be a failed state the day it can’t manage its internal affairs which seems to be happening at the moment but some segments of the society point it out to be deliberate actions and not something out of control.